COMPETITION

Anti-Bullying Week – 14th-18th November 2011

Anti-bullying Week 2011 will be held from14-18 November. With the slogan ‘Stop and think – words can hurt’ this year’s campaign is focused on tackling verbal bullying. Young people at the ABA Youth Summit 2010 raised concerns about the negative use of language in schools and the wider community – expressions like ‘you’re so gay’ and words like ‘sket’ and ‘slag’. They saw this as a key indicator of bullying or a hostile environment.

We know that derogatory language – words and expressions that are homophobic, racist, sexist or disabilist, that seek to demean particular groups and individuals are far too common in our schools, colleges and communities.

Through this year’s theme the aim is to:

  • challenge the casual use of derogatory language in our schools, colleges and communities
  • raise awareness of the consequences of using demeaning and harassing language through technology
  • encourage schools, colleges and other settings to create language charters that makes it clear what is and isn’t acceptable
  • give children and young people the tools to challenge others when they use derogatory language, to find new ways of expressing how they feel if they are angry or upset, and to make a conscious effort to speak positively and to compliment others
  • encourage adults to consider how they model the use of language with children and young people (this includes all practitioners working with children and young people but also celebrities and people in positions of power)

As part of the Anti-Bullying Celebrations we will be running a competition open to all schools to submit either a piece of artwork, poem, creative writing or multi-media. There will be an overall prize awarded for each key stage and an overall winner announced at the Celebration Event. Prizes will be awarded in the form of vouchers. The closing date for the competition entries is: Wednesday 2nd November 2011.

COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

Anti-Bullying Week – 14th-18th November 2011

Name:______

Age:______

School Name: ______

Description of Work Submitted (Please tick):

Poem

Song

Picture

Photos (eg. Large Display)

Multi-media

Other (please state): ______

______

______

______

All entries to be sent to:

Surbjit Gill

NHS Swindon

North Swindon District Centre

Thamesdown Drive

Swindon SN25 4AN

Tel: 01793 464675

Email: /

To find out more information visit the Anti-Bullying Alliance Website